Local artist Tony van Hasselt created this beautiful watercolor during an unexpected snowstorm and appropriately titled it “April Surprise.”

It was in late April of this year. Tony was preparing to paint on location at Knickercane Island.  The snow and  frigid temperatures added a surprising twist since colors in the brush and on the palette immediately froze.

“So, in fact, I painted with colored slush which created interesting crystallizing effects on the paper,"  Tony said.  And the effort earned this plein air painter a steaming cup of coffee, up the hill at the Trevett Country Store. 

Studio 53’s much anticipated  “Fall Into Winter “ holiday event is up and running every weekend through Christmas Eve!  A great range of style and diversity which is a signature of Studio 53 Fine Art. Studio doors open at 11 a.m. Friday through Sunday. See the featuring fine art of Tony van Hasselt, Bob McKay, Greg Laderer, Lynne Seitzer and John MT Seitzer; along with a wonderful variety of art  by gallery owners Terry Seaman and Heidi Seidelhuber;  Don Josephson, Robert Hamilton, Jack Silverio, David Dupree, Nancy Wilkoff, Gerald Immonen, H. Lane Smith, and stone sculpture artist Dick Alden. Dick’s large scale works are in the Sculpture Garden on the waterfront, next to the gallery parking lot.

The gallery, located at 53 Townsend Ave. in Boothbay Harbor,  closes at 5 p.m. on  Fridays and  Saturdays, and at 3 p.m. on Sundays.  Call 633-7025 for more information.